Police set up a perimeter, he said, and a short time later, Alvarado shouted "an expletive and a challenge" as he rushed toward officers with his hands thrust forward "in a shooting position," wrapped around an object that turned out to be a cellphone.

He was shot by two officers who, according to Police Chief Kelly McMillin, have been placed on standard administrative leave.

Alvarado was taken to Natividad Medical Center, where he died.

Records show Alvarado was suspected of violating his parole from prison only a few months after serving a more than 10-year sentence for attempted murder and assault with a gun.

Witnesses told investigators the alleged violation was using methamphetamine, Flippo said, and Alvarado had told friends and family he "was not going to go back to prison for a parole violation."

Flippo said he told people he planned to resist police by "using a cellphone to simulate a weapon" if officers tried to take him in.

Asked if he believed Alvarado tried to commit "suicide by cop," Flippo replied, "That may be the case."

He declined to say what "challenge" Alvarado had shouted to officers, nor how many shots were fired.

No officers were injured in the incident, he said. One of the officers who fired shots was a veteran with Salinas police, Flippo said, but as in other recent shootings, no police names were released.

Alvarado's is the fourth fatal shooting of a Salinas resident by police in 2014. After the last shooting on May 20, residents took to the streets in protest and clashed violently with police. Hundreds of officers from neighboring agencies were brought in to quell the crowds.

The District Attorney's Office was asked to investigate Alvarado's death, McMillin said, because his department is busy with three other officer shooting investigations that are still underway.

Flippo said Alvarado's family has been cooperative with investigators.

"They've lost a loved one, so there is a lot of emotion there," he said.

Flippo's office often investigates officer shootings from other agencies. In addition to Alvarado's death, the office is investigating the March 20 shooting of Hector Chairez, who was killed near Big Sur by sheriffs' deputies who said they thought he brandished a gun at them. The weapon has not been found, according to investigators.

On Friday, Monterey County Counsel Charles McKee denied The Herald's request for the names of the deputies involved in that shooting.

Meanwhile, community unease with the record number of officer shootings continues.

A Facebook event posted by a group called Direct Action Monterey Network announced plans to hold a rally protesting police shootings at 6 p.m. Saturday at Fairview Avenue and Sanborn Road, about a block from the spot where Alvarado was killed.

A seven-minute video labeled as Alvarado speaking at a May 14 rally about prison and jail expansion was posted Friday on YouTube.

Alvarado, dressed in a tie and business shirt, is seen telling a small crowd that he paroled in July after serving his prison sentence with two strikes on his record.

"I came out to being the little kid who had the model airplane, but you know what? (I) put the stickers on backwards, tried to make this airplane look the way it's supposed to be on the box. And it just didn't happen that way."

He spoke of losing his son because of his years in prison.

"In my position, I need to just let things go. But one thing I won't let go of is my freedom," he said.

He spoke of sticking around to help his ailing grandfather.

"I'm finally going to be around my family that loves me," he said. "And even if they don't respect me, they love me."